Dispenser device for liquids in container bag

Abstract

A dispensing device includes a base with an upright support holding a ram assembly and a liquid container bag support. The bag support holds a liquid container bag with an outlet portion thereof supported below the ram assembly. The ram assembly is disposed within a housing having a left wall, a right wall and an open lower portion. The bag support is disposed along an external surface of the left wall. The ram assembly includes a squeezer element mounted to a ram. The ram is moved in the vertical axis in a linear reciprocating motion. Rotation of the shaft of the motor translates to movement of the ram up and down in a reciprocating manner moving the squeezer element therewith.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A dispensing device for a liquids container bag having an outlet portion with an outlet spout, the device comprising:
 a ram assembly having a ram with a squeezer element for applying a squeezing force to the outlet portion; and   a bag support for holding the liquids container bag with the outlet portion thereof supported adjacent the ram assembly,   wherein the squeezer element is comprised a soft resilient material which can deform when force is applied thereto but will return to its original shape when the force is removed, the squeezer element having a surface which is angled to form a cut-off portion,   wherein, during movement of the squeezer element via the ram assembly in use, the cut-off portion of the squeezer element initially engages the outlet portion, and further movement of the squeezer element increases the contact between the squeezer element surface and the outlet portion as the squeezer element is deformed to be pressed flat against the outlet portion to dispense liquid via the outlet spout.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The dispensing device of  claim 1 , wherein the squeezer element has an angled face and the cut-off portion comprises a wedge formation defined by the angled face. 
     
     
         4 . The dispensing device of  claim 1 , wherein the squeezer element applies the squeezing force in a direction from the cut-off portion towards the outlet spout as the squeezer element applies the squeezing force. 
     
     
         5 . The dispensing device of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a support tray for supporting the outlet portion, the support tray having an aperture for the outlet spout, and the squeezer element presses against the outlet portion in the support tray. 
     
     
         6 . The dispensing device of  claim 5 , wherein the support tray is horizontal and the ram is adapted to be moved in the vertical axis in a linear motion such that the squeezer element presses down on the outlet portion. 
     
     
         7 . The dispensing device of  claim 6 , wherein the ram is movable via an actuator in a reciprocating manner along the vertical axis. 
     
     
         8 . The dispensing device of  claim 7 , wherein the actuator is a motor connected to the ram via an offset crankshaft link and a connecting rod such that one rotation of the motor translates to movement of the ram from an initial up position, down to a squeezing position, and back up to the initial up position. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The dispensing device of  claim 1 , wherein the squeezer element is shaped as a block body having an upper portion, a lower surface, a left side wall, and a right side wall, and the upper portion comprises a rigid plate which is adapted for quick connection to the ram, the lower surface being the angled surface. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The dispensing device of  claim 5 , wherein the outlet portion comprises a lower layer and an upper layer each having a connection means, and the squeezer element comprises a corresponding connection means for connecting to the upper layer, and the support tray comprises a corresponding connection means for connecting to the lower layer. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The dispensing device of  claim 12 , wherein the support tray is pivotable from lowered angled position to a horizontal support position. 
     
     
         15 . The dispensing device of  claim 14 , wherein the device comprise a horizontal ledge having a lower surface which will engage an upper layer of the outlet portion of the container bag, the ledge and the support tray clamping a distal end of the outlet portion therebetween in use. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The dispensing device of  claim 1 , wherein the position of the squeezer element relative to the outlet portion is adjustable for adjusting the quantity of liquid to be expelled from the outlet portion. 
     
     
         18 . The dispensing device of  claim 1 , wherein the position of the squeezer element relative to the ram is adjustable. 
     
     
         19 . The dispensing device of  claim 1 , wherein the travel distance of the ram assembly is adjustable for adjusting the squeezing force applied to the outlet portion and the amount of liquid dispensed via the outlet spout. 
     
     
         20 . The dispensing device of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a selection means for allowing the user to select the desired amount of liquid to be dispensed. 
     
     
         21 . The dispensing device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a contactless sensor for initiating the movement of the ram assembly,   wherein the sensor is disposed underneath the support tray such that when a container is detected under the spout, movement of the ram is initiated.   
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . An assembly comprising:
 a dispensing device according to  claim 1 , and   a container bag having a main portion and an extension outlet portion extending from a lower end of the main portion, the outlet portion being a narrower extension of the main portion.   
     
     
         24 . The assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the dispenser bag in structure comprises two plastic layer sheets sealed at their edges, and a lower edge of the main portion is angled towards the outlet portion for directing the liquid to the outlet portion in use. 
     
     
         25 . The assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the outlet portion comprises an outlet spout at the lower layer thereof and a connection means at the upper layer thereof and a lower connection means at the lower layer thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the outlet spout has a one way valve therein to allow one way dispensing of liquid from the container bag and prevent air or other contaminants from entering.